New Albany Report: Governor’s 2019-20 Proposed New York State Executive Budget

The latest edition of MLMIC’s The Albany Report focuses policyholder attention on Governor Cuomo’s proposed executive budget and its impact on the medical professional liability insurance market.

In Volume 3, Number 1,* policyholders will find industry-specific details of the $175.2 billion budget, including:

• extension of the Department of Financial Services (DFS) Superintendent’s authority over rates for medical professional liability insurance for physicians;
• continuation of the Physician’s Excess Medical Malpractice Program, commonly known as the “Section 18 Program,” at its existing $127.4 million appropriation; and
• renewal of $52 million in funding for the NYS Medical Indemnity Fund (MIF).

The Governor’s proposal kicks off the New York State budget process for 2019-2020. Next steps include legislative hearings, development of Assembly and Senate versions of the budget and finally negotiations. The deadline for the final budget is April 1.

In addition to presentation of this budget, Governor Cuomo’s State of the State address highlighted items of interest to MLMIC policyholders, including the Governor’s push to codify the federal Affordable Care Act into state law and to create a commission to examine options for achieving universal healthcare in New York. We will continue to monitor these developments.

For over 40 years, MLMIC has been committed to meeting the liability insurance needs of physicians, dentists, hospitals and other healthcare professionals. As a core part of its mission, MLMIC is, and always has been, a strong advocate for the healthcare community and has effectively lobbied for legislative and regulatory reform to address those issues that continue to impact healthcare professionals. The Albany Report is intended to enhance this advocacy.

*UPDATE: This edition is no longer live. Please access the most current version of The Albany Report here.